St. Cloud city manager resigns

Officials credit Paul Kaskey with moving projects forward

ST. CLOUD -- City Manager Paul Kaskey announced his resignation at the end of the City Council meeting Thursday night.

"I won't say I expected it. He's been a good friend," council member Wade Davis said Thursday. "We have moved faster in the last five years with him than expected. He came and got projects done."

Kaskey said he came to St. Cloud with the intention of staying three to five years. His last day of work Jan. 13 will mark the end of five years since he was elevated from interim manager to full-time city manager.

"It's time for me to move on; it's time for a change," he said. Kaskey said he will return to the private sector, but he did not elaborate.

Kaskey said he doesn't plan to leave matters hanging with the city.

"I want a good and smooth transition," he said. He added that he wants to make sure projects are well under way before his departure.

This entails speeding up some projects, he said. He suggested increasing the frequency of monthly council workshops to get more done.

Kaskey has been credited by City Council members with the success of many ventures. These include creating a two-year budget, building a new City Hall and senior center, development of Stevens Plantation, St. Cloud's rebranding itself as a city that "Celebrates Small Town Life," lakefront redevelopment and the Cyper Spot for wireless-fidelity access.

"These things wouldn't have happened without Paul," city consultant and Marketing Resources president Jonathan Baltuch said Thursday. He said Kaskey gave the City Council the ability to recognize St. Cloud's potential.

Council member Mike Wetzel agreed with that assessment, describing Kaskey's role as similar to that of a construction manager.

"He has done his term. He was in there for construction purposes, and he's done that," Wetzel said.

Still, Kaskey has been the target of criticism by Deputy Mayor Mickey Hopper because of his residence on the Gulf Coast. Kaskey has kept a home in North Port in Sarasota County and goes there on weekends.

In North Port, he had served as city manager and fire chief. He was tapped as interim city manager in October 2000 by Mayor Glenn Sangiovanni, who met him through the Florida League of Cities. He filled in after City Manager Lloyd Rinderer's resignation before being elevated to the full-time position the following January.

"We are extremely grateful we found you," Sangiovanni said Thursday night. "You had the ability to take our dreams and turn them into a reality."

Hopper said she wishes Kaskey the best in his future.

Sangiovanni said he is thankful Kaskey gave the city more than 90 days notice before his departure and that he has the desire to take on more work during that time.

Council member Jeff McCorkle also said the advance notice benefits the city.

"In the past we've had a history of going, `Oh, my gosh, he's gone; now what are we going to do,' " he said.

By the time Kaskey leaves, council members will have advertised the position and hope to have found an appropriate replacement. They will discuss plans for filling the position at an upcoming workshop.

Baltuch said Kaskey will be hard to replace.

"The city will have to look deep and carefully to make sure the success and momentum continues," he said.

Council members agree the search will be a laborious one. Hopper said it is important to find a city manager grounded in honesty and one who is able to work with employees.

"We need a city manager that can bring cohesiveness back to the city," she said.

Davis added, "We are looking for the type of person who will take the bull by the horns and run with it."